For Immediate Release
February 26 2010
Conservatives Continue to Insult Indo-Canadians by remaining silent on official apology
for Komagata Maru Injustice
Brampton, ON- The Conservative Government continues to insult Indo-Canadians by
refusing to apologize for the Komagata Maru injustice in Canada's Parliament.
Many Canadians waited for an official apology for the Komagata Maru injustice in the
House of Commons after the successful passing of a historic Private Member’s Motion
on May 15, 2008 by Brampton-Springdale MP Dr. Ruby Dhalla. The Private Member’s
Motion M469, asked the Government to apologize for the 1914 Komagata Maru
tragedy. However many Indo-Canadians were shocked when Prime Minister Stephen
Harper chose to make the apology while speaking to a crowd at a cultural event in
Surrey B.C.
To add insult to injury, a press conference was held today in Brampton-Springdale
regarding the Komagata Maru injustice and once again the outcry from the Indo-
Canadian community to make an official apology in the House of Commons was
ignored. In addition, the funding announced by passed many grassroots local
community organizations seeking funding.
“It is unfortunate that the Conservative government has chosen to ignore the plea of
the Indo-Canadian community for an official apology in Canada's Parliament. The
Komagata Maru injustice will forever serve as a reminder of the struggles and challenges
that so many immigrants have encountered in their hope for a better future in Canada”
said Dr. Dhalla
In September 2009, Dr. Dhalla put forth another motion in the House of Commons
requesting the Conservative Government to officially designate May 23rd as a day of
commemoration for the Komagata Maru injustice and to provide an official apology in
the House of Commons for the 1914 Komagata Maru injustice. Dr. Dhalla looks forward
to having the support of her colleagues in having this Private Member’s Motion passed.
“An apology should be made in the House of Commons in a manner that is respectful
and dignified. Anything less is an insult to the Indo-Canadian community and to the
families impacted by the Komagata Maru injustice. As a nation that champions human
rights, democracy and freedom, this motion is an opportunity for all parliamentarians to
put partisan politics aside and support the request for an official apology” said Dr.
Dhalla.
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For more Information Contact:
Candice Debi
Executive Assistant & Director of Communications
Office of Dr. Ruby Dhalla, MP
Brampton-Springdale
905 874 6868
Dhallr1@parl.gc.ca